ONE TICK AT A TIME

                                                                Romans 12:1-2

                                            

  Introduction

        A.  The story is told in an old reading textbook about a little clock that hung on the wall.

              1.  As he considered his future, he realized that he ticked 630,720,000 times in ten

                   years.

              2.  In exhaustion he said, “I’ll never make it.”  But he realized he had made it thus

                   far one tick at a time.

        B.  Romans 12:1-2 (p 837)

              1.  We are to use our bodies to serve and obey God, which is a continual practice.

              2.  We are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, which is an on-going process.               

   

   I.  Sometimes living the Christian life seems difficult because of the problems with which we

        are confronted. 

        A.  We look at all these problems and they overwhelm us.

              1.  personal problems:

              2.  family problems:

              3.  church problems:

              4.  other concerns:

             

        B.  What then are we to do? Philippians 4:13; 1:3-6 (867) We can receive strength from Jesus

              and understand that when God begins a good work in us that He will see it through

              until completion.  There are three principles that will enable us.

              1.  Instead of looking at 630,720,000 ticks, let’s look at one tick at a time.

                   a.  Illustration

                   b.  “One Day At A Time”

                   c.  “Fight One More Round”         Read 1 Timothy 6:12 (p 878)

                   d.  Let’s take _______ step at a time.

              2.  We need to understand our limitations.

                   Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30.  God has given us different abilities and

                   varying degrees of these abilities.  Illustration.  Matthew 26:41

              3.  We must endure by focusing on Jesus.  Hebrews 12:1-2 (p890)  Illustrate living

                    the Christian life to a race.  Duke of Wellington said……………

  Conclusion

        A.  While we are worrying about 630,720,000 ticks…………….

        B.  1 Corinthians 15:58